Erin Becomes Category 4, Threatens Caribbean Islands

AFP/APP

Washington: Hurricane Erin restrengthened into a Category 4 storm late Sunday, with forecasters warning of further intensification and a growing storm size in the coming days as it lashes Caribbean islands with torrential rains, posing risks of flash floods and landslides.

The first hurricane of what is projected to be an intense Atlantic season, Erin briefly reached a “catastrophic” Category 5 before weakening slightly. While it is not currently expected to make landfall along its projected path, tropical storm warnings have been issued for the southeastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

As of 11:00 pm Atlantic Standard Time (0300 GMT Monday), the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said Erin was located about 130 miles (205 kilometers) east of Grand Turk Island, with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles (215 kilometers) per hour.

“The core of Erin is expected to pass to the east and northeast of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the southeastern Bahamas overnight into Monday,” the NHC stated. Residents of Bermuda, the central Bahamas, and North Carolina’s Outer Banks have also been advised to closely monitor the storm’s progress.

Hurricane Erin reached the top of the Saffir-Simpson scale just over 24 hours after strengthening to Category 1—a rapid intensification that scientists increasingly attribute to global warming. The storm could dump up to six inches (15 centimeters) of rain in isolated areas, the NHC warned.

“Some additional strengthening is expected over the next 12 hours, followed by gradual weakening,” the agency said, adding that Erin is forecast to expand in size and remain a “large and dangerous major hurricane” through midweek.

The NHC also cautioned about the likelihood of “locally considerable flash and urban flooding, along with landslides or mudslides” in affected regions.